Disgraceland was established in 1996 as a vintage clothing shop. Originally based on Gilkes Street in the town centre, it served the people of Middlesbrough and beyond with vintage clothes inspired by the owner’s love of all things quirky.
Since then, Jane Jorgensen has seen trends and the local business community change and evolve, yet her passion for the local area coupled with her desire to bring people together through creativity, has ensured Disgraceland is still a powerful force on our local high street.
“It was started on a whim as people would compliment me on my dress sense. I was usually wearing things from jumble sales, charity shops or stuff from my nana’s wardrobe,” said Jane.
“I was bursting out of my house with wild and wonderful clothing so I thought, ‘there might be something in this’.
“I found a premise above a vinyl record shop which was pretty cool in itself and called it Disgraceland. We even had a promotional fashion show in the former Cornerhouse.
“We officially opened on 7th April 1996 and it was rip-roaring success, and so my journey with Disgraceland began.
Jane Jorgensen inside Disgraceland on Baker Street
“I have been in several locations in Middlesbrough, always working alongside the local music scene and organising pop-up stalls in clubs, photoshoots and fashion shows.
“I also delved into fancy dress working alongside a very popular 70s themed event which ran in a club in Boro. I’d hire out clothing to very enthusiastic audience members who would turn into John Travolta or Jimmy Hendrix for the night to name a few, ABBA was always the most popular! It was great fun and very successful.
“After 10 years I closed my door on the high street but not one to be deterred, I then opened an online shop through eBay to keep Disgraceland alive.
“In 2011 I was approached by Middlesbrough Council’s regeneration team who were working on an exciting new scheme across Bedford Street and Baker Street. The vision was to create an area where independent businesses would trade alongside each other, kind of replicating the Northern Quarter in Manchester.
“I wanted to be part of it, so Disgraceland was reborn again on Baker Street in 2012 selling vintage clothing alongside other independent businesses.”
But as fashions and trends change, the dynamics of the streets changed too. Forward-thinking Jane evolved the business yet again to gear more towards the night-time economy.
Disgraceland is used for a range of purposes including club nights and pop-up events
“I had a vision – and with my passion and dedication changed Disgraceland into what it is today.”
Jane says the the venue’s unique aesthetic is inspired from many visits to Berlin in the 90s. The venue’s walls are covered with graffiti, industrial fittings and retro decor, much like the bombed-out squat buildings found amongst Berlin’s iconic underground scene.
“Creativity is key and I encourage people to leave a bit of themselves in there and leave pens out for people to write or draw on the walls, art is not in any particular form but it’s all around us, and people love it.
“I have an evening called ‘flip the script’ which is a poetry and open stage night where the ethos is ‘be yourself ‘. This sums up everything about Disgraceland – you can be your own self in a place where no-one will judge your type of creativity whatever field it is in.
“I am proud to have supported the alternative underground culture in this town for over 25 years. We must be one of the longest running businesses around Baker Street and Bedford Street and long may it continue. UTB!”
Dressing up for a popular 70s night
